Programmed article dispenser

ABSTRACT

A programmed dispenser adapted in response to a predetermined set of variables to dispense selected numbers of different articles and provided with coordinated decoding and dispensing means to secure improved and reliable dispensation of selected articles.

United States Patent 1 [1 11 3,847,301 Shaw Nov. 12, 1974 [5 PROGRAMMED ARTICLE DISPENSER 3.752359 8/1973 Shaw 221 5 Inventor: J p Denman Shaw, 508 Church 1802,600 4/l974 Shaw 22l/5 St., Brownsville, Pa. 15417 P E R b B R rimary xaminer o ert ecves [22] Flled: 1973 Assistant Examiner-Churles A. Marmor 211 App], 42 ,339 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wz1lter S. Murray [52] US. Cl. 221/5, 221/94 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. G07f 11/40 58 Field of Search..... 221/4, 5, 12, 65, 87, 92-94, A Programmed "P rcsPOnsc 23/126 225 I31 238 287 predetermined set of variables to dispense selected numbers of different articles and provided with coor- [56] Refernces Cited dinated decoding and dispensing means to secure im' UNITED STATES PATENTS proved and reliable dispensation of selected articles.

3,138,287 6/1964 Kireta 221/94' 3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 1 PROGRAMMED ARTICLE DISPENSER This invention relates to programmed article dispensers and is directed to a positively acting dispenser in that dispensing units are all disposed in fully decoded positions before the single dispensing action of the units is initiated.

Another object of the invention is to'provide a dispenser wherein the decoding of article dispensing units and the dispensing action of selected units are mechanically coordinated to secure improved dispensation of the articles.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

'FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a programmed article dispenser of this invention shown in coded condition.

programmedarticle dispenser shown in coded condition.

FIG. 7 is anenlarged centralsection taken'through the programmed article dispenser shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings'in an initial decoded, but non-dispensing position. FIG. 8 is a section like FIG. 7 showing the article dispenser in dispensing position.

FIG. 9 is a fragmental section taken on line 9 9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, central section like FIGS. 2 and 7 showing another modification of my pro grammed article dispenser in a decoded but nondispensing position.

. Now with reference to FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings the reference numeral indicates a cabinet having a num ber of compartments 16 therein for slidably receiving article dispensing units 17 through the open fronts thereof. A number of article containing chambers 18 are formed in each dispensing unit 17 by longitudinally spaced apart, lateral walls 19 therein. Lateral coding means 2020 (FIG. 4) are formed in each of the walls 19 adjacent each chamber 18 and, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, said coding means are rows of laterally spaced apart cells 21 adapted to freely receive selected coding pins 22, said pins each having a reduced lower end 23 (FIG. 2) that projects through a hole 24 formed through the bottom 25 of each unit concentric with each cell 21; said pins 22 being axially movable within selected cells. A hinged cover plate 26 is provided each said chamber and adjacent coding means, said cover being releasably held in normal closed position by a separable fastener means 27 (F IG, 5) latching the cover against opening by a spring means 28 associated with the hinge of each cover.

A decoding case 29 is adapted to slidably receive the cabinet 15 and an indexed selector 30 is disposed for intermittent, lateral movement within the rear portion ofthe decoding case 29. A spring detent means 31, op-

erative between the case 29 and .a bottom edge of the selector 30, provides positive increments of motion for intermittently indexing the selector preferrably ina time related sequence such as the even numbered hours of a day, it being noted with reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings that the spaced apart coding means 20-20 on the bottom 25 of each article containing unit 17 is also calibrated in a time related sequence corresponding to the calibrations on the selector 30. The selector 30 has a plurality of fingers 32, one to a unit 17, which project into the case 29 from the bottom portion of the selector, said fingers having a longitudinally spaced series of decoding lugs 33 thereon. one to each lateral row of coding means 20-20.

It is contemplated that AMHand PM tracks be formed in the opposed side walls of the case 29 to slidably receive the selector 30 andthe case 29 is provided with a longitudinal slot 330 therein for clearing the fingers 32 and their lugs 33 through a side wall 34 of the case while the selector 30 is provided with an open ended lateral slot 35. for the purpose to be hereinafter set forth. Stop means comprising a shoulder 36 (FIGS. 2 and 3). is formed in the bottom of the case 29 to limit sliding movement of the cabinet 15 into the case, said stop means being adapted to position the cabinet 15 and its units 17in a decoded position within the case by aligning the decoding lugs 33 on the fingers 32 of the selector with the coding means 20-20 on the bottom wall 25 of each unit 17. a 4

The dispensing means for the units 17 devised to ac tuate the selector 30 and the decoding lugs 33 and axially move predetermined coding pins 22 upwardly to release the covers 26 comprises a bar 37 slidably mounted in the upper wall 38 of the case 29, said bar preferrably having a handle 39 on its. free projected end to manually operate the dispensing means, the opposed end of the bar having acam end portion 40 which engages in the slot of the selector 30 to vertically raise it when the bar is manually pulled in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 2

Selected units 17 are dispensed by means of a slide plate 41 mounted in the cabinet above each unit 17, and having dispensing lugs 42 each adapted to engage the edge of a released cover plate, as is indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 2. The dispensing means is adapted to move decoded units from the cabinet and comprises an arm 43, one to a unit, positioned in the path of the slide plate 41, said arm being adapted to move through clearance slots 44 formed in the rear, upper portion of the cabinet 15 so that the arms 43 will engage the slide plates and move them forwardly within the cabinet 15.

In operation articles to be dispensed are loaded into the chambers 18 of each of the dispensing units 17, coding pins 22 are then placed in selected cells 21 of the AM and PM rows of cells2020, it being noted that all the pins have reduced ends23 of the same lengths. The hinged covers 26 are thereafter closed and retained in closed positions against the actions of the spring means 28 by the separable fastener means 27. The units 17 are then slid into fully closed positions in the cabinet 15, with the slide plates 41 also in fully inserted positions above the units. At selected times, determined by the AM or PM position of the indexed selector 30, the cabinet 15 is slid into the case 29 until it comes to a stop against the shoulder 36 in the case, said stop aligning the decoding lugs 33'with the coding means on the bottoms of the units to positively locate the decoded positions of the units 17. Next the bar 37 is manually pulled forwardly which through the action of the cam part 40 raises the selector 30 and the lugs 33 on the fingers 32 to engage and raise selected pins 22 upwardly, said pin movements overcoming the fasteners 27 of the covers 26 and allowing the springs 28 to raise the covers into the paths of the lugs 42 on the slide plates 41. With further forward movement of the bar 37 the arms 43 engage the slide plates 41 which then moves forward carrying forward with it all units having covers engaged by the lugs 42, thus pushing said selected units 17 out of the cabinet to indicate that certain articles in the opened chambers of each unit are to be dispensed in accordance with the instructions on a card 45 on the front of each unit.

With reference to FIGS. 6-9 of. the drawings which show a modified form of my invention, a cabinet 46 has -a number of compartments 47 therein each adapted to slidably receive a dispensing unit 48. As in the programmed dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings each unit 48 has a number of article containing chambers 49 therein and a lateral coding means 50 is disposed adjacent each chamber 49, each coding means comprising a lateral row of cells 51 which selectively receive axially moveable coding pins 52 having reduced lower ends which extend through the bottom wall 53 of the unit. A cover 54 hinged to the unit at 55 normally closes a chamber 49 and its associated coding means 50, said cover being biased to opened position by a spring and held in normal closed position by a releasable fastener means, as is the case with the covers 26 in the dispenser shown in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings.

A selector 56 is mounted for guided vertical movement in an indexed frame 57, said frame being mounted for intermittent lateral movement in the rear number of decoding lugs 62 each having a shoulder 63 projecting upwardly from its rear edge, said lugs being adapted to engage and actuate certain coding pins 52 in selected cells 51.

The stop means for this modified form of the invention comprises a lug 64 hinged at 65 to an arm 66 projecting forwardly from the selector.56, said lug being normally disposed in the path of a projection 67 formed on the rear upper portion of the cabinet 46.

In operation each dispensing unit 48 is prepared in a manner similar to the preparation of the units 17 shown in FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, articles being loaded into the chambers 49 and each adjacent row of cells having a selected pin 52 dropped thereinto. All the covers 54 are then closed and all units 48 slid into the cabinet 46. The appropriate selector 56 and its frame 57 is next inserted intov the case 58 and the frame 57 indexed to the proper time calibration. The cabinet is next slid into the case 58 and as shown in FIG. 7 the cabinet will conwhich movement brings the decoding lugs 62 into contact with selected coding pins 52, moving said pins upwardly and releasing the covers 54, said covers swinging upwardly by the bias of the spring hinges to the positions shown in FIG. 8. In said positions also. the stop 64 will have moved above the projection 67 allowing the cabinet 46 to be slid into its fully inserted position in the case 58, the selected dispensing units 48 being arrested from said movement by the shoulders 63 on the decoding lugs 62, which in effect moves the dispensing unit out of the cabinet thereby indicating that articles in selected chambers with opened covers are to be dispensed at that particular indexed time (FIG. 8).

To recondition the case and cabinet the manual lever 59 is released which allows the selector 56 to fall back to the position shown in FIGS. 7, the stop 64 being swung upwardly into the dotted line position whereby the extension 67 may be slid past the stop and the cabinet 46 removed from the case.

Now with reference to FIG. 10 of the drawings there is shown another modified form of the invention which has a decoding case68 and a selector 69 having identical structures and functions as the case 58 and selector 56 of the modification shown in FIGS. 6-9 of the drawings. A cabinet 70 has a'number of compartments 71 each slidably receiving a dispenser unit 72 therein. Each dispensing 'unit 72 has a number of chambers 73 holding a stack of articles 74 to be dispensed, said unit having a dispensing opening 75 formed in the top wall 76 toward which the stack of articles is urged by a spring 77. The bottom wall '78 of each chamber is moveable face-wise in a vertical direction within the lower portion of the unit chamber and a stepped article pusher 79 is connected to the bottom wall and engages articles in the stack through an opening 80 in an intermediate wall 81 of the unit. The bottom wall has a lateral coding means thereon and coding pins '82 are removeably positioned in selected coding means.

In operation each unit 72 is prepared by placing a stack of articles '74 in the chambers 73 and then the bottom wall 78 of each unit is coded by inserting the proper pins 82 in the coding means. The units are then slid fully into the cabinet 70 and at predetermined periods, indicated by the index selector 69, the cabinet 70 with the enclosed units is slid into the case 68 until the extension 67 on the cabinet 70 engages against the stop means 64. The arrest of the cabinet 70 by the stop means 64 aligns the decoding lugs 62 on the fingers 61 of the selector with the coding pins 82 whereafter the selector is raised by the handle 59 which raises the lugs 62 against the pins 82 thereby moving the stepped pusher 79 upwardly the desired distance to push predetermined articles 74 through the openings 75 in the unit into a projected stationary position. Raising of the selector 69 also disengages the projection 67 from the stop 64 whereby the cabinet 70 may be pushed into its home position in the case 68, the shoulders 63 on the decoding lugs 62 preventing the units from moving backwardly with the cabinet 70 which in effect pushes the units outwardly from the cabinet thereby indicating that certain articles dispensed through the openings 75 in the unit are to be dispensed.

What is claimed is:

. 1. In a programmed article dispenser:

1. a cabinet containing a number of compartments,

2. a plurality of dispensing units each slidably disposed in a compartment, I

3. a number of article containing chambers in each unit,

4. a bottom wall for each unit,

5. a lateral row of spaced apart coding means on the bottom wall adjacent each chamber,

6.. a decoding case adapted to slidably receive the cabinet,

7. an indexed selector disposed for intermittent lateral movement within the case,

8. a plurality of fingers mounted on the selector, one

to a unit,

9. a spaced series of decoding lugs on each finger,

one to each lateral row of coding means,

10. axially moveable coding pins mounted in selected positions along the coding means on the bottom wall of each unit,

l 1. stop means on the case limiting sliding movement of the cabinet into the case and positioned to align the decoding lugs on the fingers with the coding means on the bottom wall of the unit,

12. mechanically operated means adapted to actuate the selector to axially move the decoding lugs and coding pins and condition selected units for dispensation, l3. and dispensing means operated by the mechanically operable means adapted to slide selected units out of the cabinet into positions for dispensation of articles from their respective chambers. 2. A programmed article dispenser set forth in claim 1 wherein the indexed selector has a lateral slot therein and is mounted in the case for limited vertical movement, the manually operable means is a slide bar having a cam end portion cooperable with the slot to raise the selector, and the dispensing means is an arm on the bar in position to engage and push selected units out of the cabinet.

3. A programmed article dispenser set forth in claim 1 wherein the indexed selector is mounted for limited vertical movement, the stop means on the case is a hinged finger projected forwardly from the selector into the path of the cabinet, the dispensing means are shoulders formed on the rear portions of the decoding lugs and adapted to engage the coding pins and limit further movement of the unit into the case, and the stop means being inoperative when the dispensing means is operable to permit movement of the cabinet fully into thecase. 

1. In a programmed article dispenser:
 1. a cabinet containing a number of compartments,
 2. a plurality of dispensing units each slidably disposed in a compartment,
 3. a number of article containing chambers in each unit,
 4. a bottom wall for each unit,
 5. a lateral row of spaced apart coding means on the bottom wall adjacent each chamber,
 6. a decoding case adapted to slidably receive the cabinet,
 7. an indexed selector disposed for intermittent lateral movement within the case,
 8. a plurality of fingers mounted on the selector, one to a unit,
 9. a spaced series of decoding lugs on each finger, one to each lateral row of coding means,
 10. axially moveable coding pins mounted in selected positions along the coding means on the bottom wall of each unit,
 11. stop means on the case limiting sliding movement of the cabinet into the case and positioned to align the decoding lugs on the fingers with the coding means on the bottom wall of the unit,
 12. mechanically operated means adapted to actuate the selector to axially move the decoding lugs and coding pins and condition selected units for dispensation,
 13. and dispensing means operated by the mechanically operable means adapted to slide selected units out of the cabinet into positions for dispensation of articles from their respective chambers.
 2. a plurality of dispensing units each slidably disposed in a compartment,
 2. A programmed article dispenser set forth in claim 1 wherein the indexed selector has a lateral slot therein and is mounted in the case for limited vertical movement, the manually operable means is a slide bar having a cam end portion cooperable with the slot to raise the selector, and the dispensing means is an arm on the bar in position to engage and push selected units out of the cabinet.
 3. A programmed article dispenser set forth in claim 1 wherein the indexed selector is mounted for limited vertical movement, the stop means on the case is a hinged finger projected forwardly from the selector into the path of the cabinet, the dispensing means are shoulders formed on the rear portions of the decoding lugs and adapted to engage the coding pins and limit further movement of the unit into the case, and the stop means being inoperative when the dispensing means is operable to permit movement of the cabinet fully into the case.
 3. a number of article containing chambers in each unit,
 4. a bottom wall for each unit,
 5. a lateral row of spaced apart coding means on the bottom wall adjacent each chamber,
 6. a decoding case adapted to slidably receive the cabinet,
 7. an indexed selector disposed for intermittent lateral movement within the case,
 8. a plurality of fingers mounted on the selector, one to a unit,
 9. a spaced series of decoding lugs on each finger, one to each lateral row of coding means,
 10. axially moveable coding pins mounted in selected positions along the coding means on the bottom wall of each unit,
 11. stop means on the case limiting sliding movement of the cabinet into the case and positioned to align the decoding lugs on the fingers with the coding means on the bottom wall of the unit,
 12. mechanically operated means adapted to actuate the selector to axially move the decoding lugs and coding pins and condition selected units for dispensation,
 13. and dispensing means operated by the mechanically operable means adapted to slide selected units out of the cabinet into positions for dispensation of articles from their respective chambers. 